The inspection took place on 15 March 2016 and was announced. YourLife (Littlehampton) provides personal care to older persons in a setting called ‘assisted living’ where people have their own privately owned apartment in a purpose built development. The assisted living scheme also had communal areas such as a lounge and restaurant which people could use. At the time of the inspection 13 people received personal care from the service. YourLife (Littlehampton) also provided and facilitated activities for people. People were also able to purchase other services which were not personal care such as meals in the restaurant which was not provided by YourLife (Littlehampton)
The service had a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
Staff were trained in adult safeguarding procedures and knew what to do if they considered people were at risk of harm or if they needed to report any suspected abuse. People said the staff provided safe care.
Care records showed any risks to people were assessed and there was guidance of how those risks should be managed to mitigate any risk of harm.
Sufficient numbers of staff were provided so people’s care needs were safely met. Care was provided to people on an individualised appointment basis and people could also access support over a 24 hour period by using the call point system in their apartments. Whilst there were checks on the suitability of each staff to work with people we found these were sometimes completed after staff started work.
People received their medicines safely.
Staff were well trained and supervised and had access to a range of relevant training courses, including nationally recognised qualifications.
The CQC monitors the operation of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005. The service had policies and procedures regarding the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). People’s consent to care was sought. None of the people who received personal care lacked capacity to agree to their care and treatment.
People were supported with the preparation of meals where this was needed. People also made use of the restaurant where they could purchase a three course lunch each day.
People’s health care needs were assessed, monitored and recorded. Referrals for assessment and treatment were made when needed.
Staff had positive working relationships with people. Staff acknowledged people’s rights to privacy and choice. Staff were observed to treat people with kindness and respect.
Care was provided to people based on their individual needs which we call person centred care. People’s preferences and individual needs were acknowledged in the assessment of their needs and in how care was provided. Care plans gave clear details of the support each person needed which also reflected the way people preferred to be helped.
People had opportunities to socialise in the lounge and restaurant and organised their own social events and outings.
The service had a complaints procedure, which people said they were aware of.
People and their relatives’ views were sought as part of the service’s quality assurance process. The service promoted people to take part in decision making.
There were a number of systems for checking the safety and effectiveness of the service such as regular audits.